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Washington State Parks Foundation

EIN 36-4473679 · Seattle, WA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Our purpose is to ensure a vibrant and inclusive Washington State Parks system for generations to enjoy. We engage, expand, and sustain a broad base of supporters who give to, advocate for and treasure our state parks.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$877,426
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
5.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
7
Volunteers
21
Highest pay
$144,890, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 57% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $269,133 spent. IMPROVE: PROVIDING GRANTS AND BUILDING CAPACITY TO IMPLEMENT CRITICAL STATE PARKS PROJECTS. In 2024, this program completed 19 park improvement projects. Also, this grant program awarded funding for projects at 20 more parks across Washington. Some notable additional improvements included completing a new playground at Deception Pass state park, funding park interns to provide interpretive programs, installing energy efficient lighting for park buildings and completing three years of funding for a wildlife research study to better understand and protect vulnerable wildlife.
  2. $210,018 spent. CONNECT: BUILDING AN ENGAGED AND INFORMED STATE PARKS COMMUNITY. Critical to our mission is building a parks community and connecting people, particularly underserved communities, to shared experiences in nature, history and culture. We supported programs to help prepare first-time visitors, supported underserved communities to help them better access state parks and increased coordination with the state parks agency to align and deepen communications with a wider range of groups to make parks more welcoming to all. We reached out to over 200,000 park users and more than 12,400 donors who acted on behalf of our mission to give to, advocate for and treasure our state parks.
  3. $188,110 spent. Other Program Services Other services include organizational capacity building for Friends of State Parks and advocacy work with partners and the public.
  4. $97,392 spent. WELCOMING FOR ALL: CONNECTING PEOPLE AND CELEBRATING THEIR DIVERSE TRADITIONS AT STATE PARKS. This program's purpose is to help State Parks realize its mission and vision that parks connect all Washingtonians to their diverse natural and cultural heritage and ensure parks are "cherished destinations with natural, cultural, recreational, artistic, and interpretive experiences." With our support, over 7,075 individuals and families in communities across Washington were able to access state parks using free provided access passes and resources such as field guides and binoculars included in "adventure packs." In addition, we expanded access to disabled communities via adaptive playground equipment, a track chair and a trail guide for disabled people.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 2001.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Washington State University Foundation (Pullman, WA), EIN 91-1075542. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.